CHART star Paolo Nutini was filmed singing a pro-IRA chant during a boozy St Patrick’s day pub bash.
The New Shoes songwriter took to the mic at Glasgow’s Heraghty’s Bar on Tuesday night to join in a version of Rangers anthem The Best.
But Celtic fan Nutini, 39, repeatedly added “Ooh, ah, up the Ra” to the rendition of the Tina Turner classic as some fellow revellers cheered and joined in.
The controversial lyric is from Irish folk band The Wolfe Tones’ tune Celtic Symphony, about the Irish Republican Army.
Tonight, anti-sectarianism charity Nil By Mouth director Dave Scott said: “On this issue, words matter and you can’t just ‘take them back’ or claim it’s some form of bad joke.
“It reflects very poorly upon him and will upset and antagonise a lot of people.
He added: “As someone born and reared in Country Antrim during The Troubles whilst this lad was, at best, in nappies on the safer side of the Irish Sea it’s really depressing to watch this.”
The award-winning singer uttered the chant four times throughout the pub performance.
He even appeared to encourage the guitarist to join in but the man stuck to the correct words.
At one point a concerned sounding woman could be heard saying “Paolo” above the din of the party.
But the lyric led to some punters in the packed pub chanting the line back at Nutini.
Nutini was also spotted outside the Strathbungo bar in the south side of the city following his impromptu performance.
The chart-topper looked relaxed as he chatted to fans and took time for selfies.
Nutini is a well-known fan of the Hoops and has previously been spotted at Celtic pubs around Glasgow.
In 2022, he delighted supporters by popping into the city’s Brazen Head for a pint and ex-player Mark Wilson revealed how the singer serenaded the dressing room after an Old Firm match in 2011.
In 2023, he stunned punters when he jumped on stage at Sneaky Pete’s boozer in Edinburgh.
He took to the mic as he joined Canadian band Sylvie for a sing-song.
And the singer also left fans in a frenzy after a surprise hometown gig two years ago.
He performed onstage at the town hall with tickets costing just £3.
Nutini released his debut album, These Streets, in 2006 and three years later, his record Sunny Side Up surged to number one in the UK.
He has won several awards, including an Ivor Novello gong in 2010 for his hit second album.
Heraghty’s Bar declined to comment.
Nutini’s management was contacted for comment.
